Imphal, May 31: Manipur, a northeastern state of India, has been gripped by ethnic unrest and violence in recent weeks. In an effort to restore peace and harmony, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has embarked on a visit to Manipur, where he reviewed the security situation and issued directives to ensure the maintenance of peace.
During his visit, Shah met with various Meitei and Kuki groups, who expressed their commitment to peace and pledged their efforts to restore normalcy in the troubled state.
As Manipur continues to grapple with ethnic tensions, Shah is expected to hold several meetings with stakeholders on the third day of his visit. His itinerary includes visits to Moreh and Kangpokpi, where he will interact with delegations from local groups and civil society organizations. Additionally, Shah will address the media in a press conference later in the day to provide updates on the progress made during his visit.
In a significant development, a delegation from the Congress party is also scheduled to arrive in Manipur today, underscoring the urgency of addressing the ongoing crisis.
Here are the latest updates on the situation in Manipur:
Shah’s itinerary for the day includes a visit to Moreh, a town situated on the India-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district. There, he will meet Kuki civil society groups and review the existing security measures in place.
Later in the afternoon, Shah will visit Kangpokpi district, where he will engage with various groups. In the meantime, incidents of gunfights between militants and security forces were reported in Sugnu, located in the Kakching district, overnight.
During a meeting with MLAs, Shah emphasized the need to protect the territorial integrity of Manipur. He stressed the importance of providing adequate security in vulnerable areas and ensuring the unhindered movement of security forces.
Thirteen sports personalities and medal winners from international competitions made an impassioned plea to Amit Shah, urging him to restore peace and harmony in Manipur promptly. They also called for stern action against Kuki militants, warning that they would return their medals and awards if their appeal went unanswered.
Shah held a comprehensive security review meeting with senior officials from Manipur Police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and the Army. He reiterated that peace and prosperity in Manipur are the government’s top priorities, instructing officials to deal strictly with any activities that disturb the peace.
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Throughout his visit, Shah engaged with Meitei women leaders, prominent citizens, civil society groups, and political leaders from Manipur. He also held discussions with political and social leaders from the Kuki community to understand their grievances and find ways to bring peace to the state.
The Manipur violence, which began on May 3, escalated after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ protested the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The clashes were preceded by tensions over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, leading to a series of smaller agitations.
The death toll from the clashes has risen to 80, with over 300 injured, as the state witnesses intermittent clashes between militants and security forces.
As Shah continues his four-day visit to Manipur, he aims to conduct multiple security meetings to assess the situation and plan further steps to restore normalcy in the state.
Amit Shah’s visit signals the government’s commitment to resolving the ongoing crisis in Manipur, with a focus on ensuring peace, stability, and the preservation of territorial integrity. It is hoped that the efforts made during this visit will pave the way for a peaceful resolution and a return to normalcy in the state.
